I certainly don’t disagree that HP couldn’t execute a consistent branding strategy if one were already standing at the gallows with a noose on it; but from the perspective of the IT flunky, I can see a possible redeeming feature here:
If(I haven’t been able to verify this; but assuming they didn’t screw it up like total morons), they can offer single-image driver consistency(aside from Nvidia or not; but NIC/BT/sound/etc. all identical across the line); that would make it somewhat more attractive as a model to order for an entire deployment; without being too severely crippled on the high end; or too overpriced on the low.
Not a heroic improvement over just ordering from two or more different model lines; but visual consistency doesn’t hurt; and if everything except ‘install Nvidia drivers, Y/N’ is identical, supporting it will be easier.
